15 Apr 2024 | 01:11 PM UTC
Vietnam: Elevated hand, foot, and mouth disease activity reported nationwide in April
Elevated hand, foot, and mouth disease activity reported in Vietnam in April. Use basic health precautions. Decontaminate surfaces.
Health officials have reported elevated Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) activity nationwide in Vietnam, with a total of 10,196 cases reported Jan. 1-March 31. This is 2.3 times higher compared to the cases reported over a similar period in 2023. The Southern region (7,500 cases) is most affected, followed by the Northern Region (1,300 cases), Central Region (1,000 cases), and Central Highlands Region (200 cases). Local health officials recommend that the public take basic health precautions, including washing their hands, regularly cleaning surfaces and objects, and ensuring infected children or individuals stay home to prevent further disease transmission. This report represents the most complete data available as of April 15.
Practice basic health precautions and regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items. Call your medical provider if symptoms develop within a week of being in affected areas.
Risk of HFMD exists year-round in most provinces in Vietnam; however, disease activity typically peaks from March to May, and September to December. Vietnam reports roughly 50,000 to 100,000 HFMD cases yearly, with the Southern Region being the most affected, accounting for more than 60 percent of Vietnam’s cases.
HFMD is a very contagious disease caused by several viruses that spread through person-to-person contact, or respiratory droplets created when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Infected individuals can also expose people around them by contaminating surfaces and objects with fecal material or secretions from the nose, mouth, and throat. Symptoms typically appear 3-6 days after exposure. Symptoms of HFMD typically include fever, sore throat, mouth sores, and skin rash. The rash usually develops on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. HFMD is usually not serious and complications are rare.
